Publisher's Weekly Review
Clearwater, a devotee of Netflix's Bridgerton and Julia Quinn's bestselling novels, dishes out sumptuous teatime offerings inspired by the Regency-era drama in this seductive debut. Laced with quippy references to the show's high-society characters, including Eloise Bridgerton and the elusive Lady Whistledown, the straightforward recipes run the gamut from canapés and scones to macarons and trifles. Nectarine and goat cheese toasts are creamy and sweet, and "like Lady Whistledown's gossip, nectarines happen to be at their juiciest during London's social season." Cranberry orange scones pine for a dollop of clotted cream, which, "much like Lady Danbury... seems daunting but is actually delightful." There are also powdered sugar--dusted Regency classic red currant queen cakes, decadent cinnamon macarons with brandy buttercream, and the amusingly titled A Bundt in the Oven, rendered lust-worthy with a vanilla glaze. Those not already sated might opt for more savory fare, such as an orange-glazed Roast Duck Fit for a Duke or a buttery asparagus with brie puff pastry. To wash it all down, there's a recipe for "Drinking Chocolate" that "requires a bit more effort than your standard mix," but if there's one thing Bridgerton fans know, "the best things in life often do." Turn to this volume for a tempting taste of Queen Charlotte's London. (June)
Booklist Review
Though not officially affiliated with Shonda Rimes' Netflix series Bridgerton, author Clearwater takes advantage of the popular and steamy Regency dramedy by using teatime as an excuse for a cookbook. It's more than an afternoon of small plates, though; across five sections, the 75 recipes range from canapés to full-on hearty dinners (think lamb and turkey, among other proteins and sides). Traditional fare is modified by the use of ready-made ingredients (baguettes, cooked meats, refrigerated pie crusts) meaning that preparation, for the most part, will be one hour or less. (Though no prep and cooking times are included.) Most dishes are accompanied by good color photographs as well as a two-sentence or so introduction--more to connect with the show than educate. Readers can try their hands at honeyed fig crostini, lemon curd, meringue kisses, artistically herbed red potatoes, and marriage market punch. Want to sample at least five different flavors of scones, or old-fashioned dishes like macarons and creamy vanilla flummery? They're all here in a thoroughly modern version of the UK custom.
